Belgrade Airport misses two million passenger mark
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport handled 1.904 million passengers in 2020, representing a decrease of 69.1% on the previous year, which is below the European industry average. It represents the slowest year for Serbia's capital city airport since 2003. After an improvement in passenger numbers in the third quarter, the rise in Covid-19 infections led to a gradual fall in traffic at the end of the year. The number of commercial flights stood at 33.622, down 52.2%. "This situation is the result of strong travel restrictions put in place across the world to combat the spread of Covid-19" airport operator VINCI said.
This January, Belgrade Airport has a total of 1.428 scheduled commercial flights (both inbound and outbound included), which represents a decrease of 66% on the same month last year. Unlike in January 2020, several carriers have suspended their operations to the Serbian capital, including LOT Polish Airlines, Alitalia, Aegean, TAROM, Air France and Transavia, while Etihad Airways and Mahan Air have terminated their services. On the other hand, Montenegro Airlines, which was the third largest carrier at the airport in terms of the number of operated flights last January, has been grounded. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Windrose Airlines represents a new arrival, which did not serve the city last year.
Top ten routes by frequency and capacity, January 2021
Top ten airlines by frequency and capacity, January 2021
Despite the ongoing crisis in the aviation sector, VINCI has reiterated its commitment to the ongoing multi million euro expansion of Belgrade Airport. "VINCI Airports is continuing its modernisation and expansion work with great strides to make this platform a future sustainable hub in Eastern Europe. By signing a 25-year concession contract with the Serbian government, VINCI Airports is committed to transforming the airport into a benchmark hub in South Eastern Europe: opening new routes, improving passenger flow, enhancing Serbian tourism and the deployment of an environmental policy". It added, "Investments over the duration of the concession will make it possible to renovate the airport, improve its capacity and operational efficiency and bring quality to the highest international standards, without forgetting to reduce its environmental footprint. As such, the airport has just unveiled the new central area of the passenger terminal, after five months of work: a comfortable, bright and connected relaxation area which offers travellers new “walk-through” shops, a bar-restaurant and a play area, in accordance with VINCI Airports quality standards. In addition, in 2020, a new waiting area for bus gates was completed, preparatory work began on the new inserted runway and taxiways, and construction of the new parking lot is nearing completion. On the environmental front, Belgrade Airport is investing heavily to reduce its carbon footprint, with the construction of a waste recycling plant and a photovoltaic park, thus joining the ACI carbon accreditation program by obtaining level one".
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| Belgrade Airport expansion continues to advance |
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